Bylaws

Vision
To be the global organizing body for advancing the utilization of Team-Based Learning (TBL) at all levels to enhance learning and scholarly teaching and training.

Mission
To provide the vision, organization, skills, training, and leadership to actively promote the understanding, use, transformation, and dissemination of TBL across global educational communities.

Core Values
The TBLC values passion for learner-centered education and training, advocacy, and the key principles of TBL:

Effective team formation

Individual and team accountability

Team decision making

ARTICLE I. Name

Section 1.1 These bylaws and the organizational components addressed shall be named the Team-Based Learning Collaborative (i.e., the TBLC).

ARTICLE II. Purposes and Responsibilities

The TBLC encourages and supports the use of TBL in all fields and across global communities:

Section 2.1 Purposes

Encourage communication, mutual support and continuing professional development among educators in academia and industry using TBL.

Provide a resource of expertise in TBL for the membership.

Promote the conduct and dissemination of research in TBL.

Maintain appropriate interaction with other groups involved in education and training.

Section 2.2 Responsibilities

To make recommendations concerning TBL to local, regional, national, and international institutions and organizations.

To participate in collaborative activities and programs to meet the needs of the TBLC.

To maintain bylaws and policies that are consistent with sound professional practices, organizational principles and external requirements.

ARTICLE III. Restrictions on Activities

Section 3.1 No part of the earnings of the TBLC shall inure to its members, officers, or other private persons, except that the TBLC shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered in direct support of its purpose.

Section 3.2 No part of the activities of the TBLC shall be directed towards influencing legislation or intervening in political campaigns.

ARTICLE IV. Membership Criteria

Section 4.1 The Steering Committee will establish, and alter when needed, the types of membership; the criteria for membership; as well as the dues for each type of membership in the TBLC.

Section 4.3 Membership in the TBLC is for a period of one (1) year beginning on the date of application acceptance. All individuals who are members in good standing shall have the right to vote, hold office, and serve on committees. To be in good standing, a member must not be more than three months in arrears in his/her dues and financial obligations to the TBLC. Individuals more than three months in arrears in their dues will be declared inactive, but retained on the membership rolls for up to one year.

Section 4.4 Individuals whose dues are more than one year in arrears shall be removed from the membership rolls.

Section 4.5 Institutions may request group invoicing at a discount fee as set forth by the Steering Committee.

Section 4.6 Membership categories:

Member: Full, part-time, adjunct faculty, casual, or retired members or instructors of any college, university, or other similar teaching program in academia, industry, government, or nonprofit organizations.

Honorary Members: Individuals whom the TBLC honors with this status in recognition of noteworthy contributions to the TBLC or to education. Decisions regarding Honorary memberships are made by the Steering Committee.

Retired Members: Individuals who have been members of the TBLC for a minimum of five years and have served the TBLC (as members of its committees or as officers) may, at the discretion of the Steering Committee, remain members of the TBLC at no charge once they retire from full time employment.

Ex-Officio Members: The TBLC President and Steering Committee may award Ex-Officio membership to individuals. Ex-Officio members will not pay dues and their membership must be renewed each year by a simple majority vote of the Steering Committee

ARTICLE V. Steering Committee

Section 5.1 The Steering Committee shall be the principal governing body of the TBLC. The Steering Committee consists of the Officers, Expert Advisor, Technology Advisor, Executive Editor of Publications, Program Chair, Program Chair-Elect, Committee Chairs, and the Members-at-Large. The Collaborative Manager is an Ex-Officio, non-voting, member of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee:

coordinates the activities and implements policies adopted by the TBLC;

communicates its discussions and actions that affect or define the TBLC policies, rules, or positions by making summary reports available to all members of the TBLC; and

meets monthly by teleconference, annually the day prior to the beginning of conference activities, and as deemed necessary. If any member is unable to participate in three consecutive meetings, the Steering Committee may consider removal of the member from the Committee.

Section 5.2 Member-at-large – The Member-at-Large is a three year elected position. There are three (3) Member-at-Large positions on the Steering Committee; one representing Health Sciences, one representing Higher Education, and one representing K-12. One Member-at-Large position will be elected each year. The Member-at-Large position may be re-elected for one additional term for a total of six years.

Section 5.3 With the exception of the Collaborative Manager, each TBLC member must.

be an active member at the time of nomination and election and remain in good standing during the term of office;

be an active member at the time of nomination and election and remain in good standing during the term of office;

demonstrate executive and administrative ability, and be recognized for a high level of competence and leadership; an

agree to and, if elected, discharge the duties and exercise the authority of the office held and work with the other officers of the TBLC, President, designees, and the Steering Committee

Section 5.4 Unless otherwise specified, the term of office is two years. Members typically assume office on July 1st. However, members or appointees filling a vacancy assume office immediately upon election or appointment. Each member serves until the end of his/her term or until a successor is elected, unless he/she resigns or is removed from office, whichever comes first.

Section 5.5 A vacancy in any office is filled by presidential appointment and approved by the majority of the Steering Committee.

Section 5.6 Resignation and Removal from Office

a. Any Steering Committee Member may resign at any time by giving reasonable written notice to the Steering Committee and/or President. Such resignation, which may or may not be made contingent on formal acceptances, takes effect on the date of receipt or at any time specified in it.

b. A Steering Committee Member may be removed from office for failure to perform the duties of the position held in a timely and appropriate manner and/or conduct or make statements damaging to the best interests of the TBLC or to their goals or programs.

Section 5.7 A quorum shall consist of one more than half the current number of voting Steering Committee members. The President serves as a non-voting member of the Steering Committee. Neither the presence nor absence of an ex officio non-voting member of the Steering Committee is counted when calculating a quorum. In the case of a tie vote, the President would cast the tie breaking vote.

ARTICLE VI. Officers

Section 6.1 The Officers of the TBLC shall be President, President Elect, Immediate Past President, and Treasurer. The election procedure is as described in Article VIII.

Section 6.2 President – The President is the highest ranking officer of the TBLC and is directly accountable to the membership. The President leads the Steering Committee in development of the strategic goals and objectives of the organization and provides direction and leadership. The President serves as the Chair of the Steering Committee and the Annual Business meeting. The President shall serve two years and shall not succeed him or herself. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. The President shall present to the Steering Committee and general membership an annual report of the TBLC activities.

Section 6.3 Immediate Past President – In those years when a new President is elected, the current President assumes the office of Immediate Past President. A vacancy in the office of Immediate Past President cannot be filled by appointment or special election.

Section 6.4 President Elect – The President-Elect functions as a direct aid to the President carrying out tasks that complement the work of the TBLC. The President-Elect shall assume the office of President when the President’s term of office expires. The President-Elect shall function as the TBLC President in the absence of the President and, in the event of a vacancy, shall succeed and assume the office of the President. A President-Elect who prematurely assumes the office of President shall serve out the full Presidential term to which he/she was originally elected. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President-Elect, the Past President shall perform the duties of the President-Elect until a new President-Elect is appointed by a simple majority vote of the Steering committee.

Section 6.5 Treasurer – The Treasurer oversees the financial records of the TBLC according to standard accounting practices, and, whether performed personally or through the Collaborative’s management staff, is responsible for safeguarding the TBLC funds. The Treasurer shall receive quarterly reports from all individuals and Committees that manage funds and/or keep TBLC accounts. He or she presents periodic reports on the financial status of the TBLC to the Steering Committee and a full report to the membership at the Annual Business Meeting. The Treasurer shall be elected for one term of two years and may be re-elected for one additional term for a total of four years.

ARTICLE VII. Non-Elected Positions

Section 7.1 Expert Advisor – The TBL Expert Advisor produces strategic oversight to the Steering Committee. The Expert Advisor is selected by a simple majority decision of the Steering Committee for a term of office of five years. The Expert Advisor is a non-voting member of the Steering Committee.

Section 7.2 Technology Advisor – The TBL Technology Advisor provides expert advice as needed to various TBLC committees regarding technologies that may be used to advance the mission and goals of the TBLC. The Technology Advisor is selected by a simple majority decision of the Steering Committee for a term of office of two years. The Technology Advisor is a non-voting member of the Steering Committee.

Section 7.3 Executive Editor of Publications – This individual will serve as the Chair of the Editorial Board. The Executive Editor is selected by a simple majority decision of the Steering Committee for a term of office of three years. The Steering Committee may also select an Assistant Editor. The Assistant Editor aids the Editor in the work of the Committee, but does not serve on the Steering Committee.

Section 7.4 Annual Meeting Program Chair will be nominated by the President and approved by a simple majority decision of the Steering Committee. They will plan and execute the annual meeting. The Chair will serve for the duration of the Annual Meeting Planning process.

Section 7.5 Chairs of Standing Committees are nominated by the President and approved by a simple majority decision of the Steering Committee. They serve two year terms until the close of the next Annual Business meeting and may be re-appointed. The listings of Standing Committees are defined in Article IX.

Section 7.6 TBLC Manager – is a hired position approved by a simple majority vote of the Steering Committee and serves as ex-officio member without vote on all committees as deemed appropriate. He or she will provide administrative support as defined by the Steering Committee. The TBLC Manager will designate a record-keeper and keep available all minutes of business, Steering Committee meetings, and special meetings.

ARTICLE VIII. Nominations and Elections

Section 8.1 Nominations. The Nominating Committee shall, on or before March 15th, submit to the TBLC Manager a list of candidates for each position subject to election in that year. The names of these individuals, and other supportive materials as deemed appropriate by the Nominating Committee, shall be posted to the TBLC website on or before April 1st. The TBLC Manager (or his/ her delegate) shall mail or fax a copy of these materials to those TBLC members who have previously indicated they do not have internet access. Between April 1st and April 25th, members may petition for additional candidates to be added to the ballot. Such nomination petitions may consist of either a single document or separate letters. To qualify for nomination by petition, each candidate must have the support of at least 15 TBLC members in good standing. All petitions and letters must be addressed to and received by the TBLC Manager on or before midnight Eastern Time (GMT-5) of April 25th.

Section 8.2 Elections. On May 1st, a secured, electronic ballot shall be activated on the TBLC website, along with instructions for electronic voting. The TBLC administrative office will mail or fax a ballot to those TBLC members who have previously indicated they do not have internet access. All ballots must be electronically submitted to the website or received in the post by the TBLC Manager on or before midnight Eastern Time (GMT-5) of May 31st. The TBLC Manager will post the results on the TBLC website by June 15th. A plurality of the votes cast is needed for election. In the event of a tie, the election shall be decided prior to June 15th by a majority vote of the current number of Steering Committee members.

Section 8.3 Newly elected officers will assume office on July 1st.

Section 8.4 In the case of a disputed election result or process, the matter will be resolved by consensus of the Steering Committee.

ARTICLE IX. Standing Committees, Subcommittees, Ad Hoc Committees

Section 9.1 There shall be standing committees as deemed necessary by the membership or by the Steering Committee.

Ad Hoc Committees may be established by the President and/or Steering Committee as necessary to carry out explicit and time-limited objectives of the organization.

Members of Standing Committees, except the Nominating Committee, are appointed by the Committee Chair, who will notify the Steering Committee of all committee membership changes. All appointed members shall serve one year terms until the close of the next Annual Business Meeting and may be reappointed.

Section 9.2 The Executive Committee, which consists of the Officers of the TBLC (i.e., the President, President Elect, Immediate Past President, and Treasurer), shall make decisions of an urgent nature and take actions on behalf of the Steering Committee between Committee meetings. The Collaborative Manager will be an Ex-Officio, non-voting member of the Executive Committee. The President shall call meetings of the Executive Committee and report decisions to the Steering Committee at the regular meetings.

Section 9.4 Editorial Board – The Editorial Board shall review all resources, modules and other publications that are submitted to the TBLC for endorsement by the organization. The Editorial Board shall consist of a Chair and a committee that is responsible for determining the process of review of these publications. The Steering Committee may also elect an Assistant Editor. The Assistant Editor aids the Editor in the work of the Committee, but does not serve on the Steering Committee.

Section 9.5 Educational Development Committee – The Educational Development Committee is responsible for obtaining, evaluating, developing, and disseminating TBL best practices and materials about TBL to be used by the membership or for recruitment. The Educational Development Committee also identifies facilitators for the pre-conference workshops, pre-IAMSE workshops, and Regional Workshops.

Section 9.6 Training and Certification – The Training and Certification committee trains individuals to effectively use legitimate TBL practices and certifies them as Trainer-Consultants for other educators.

Section 9.7 Annual Program Committee – The Annual Program Committee shall organize TBLC meetings. This committee will consist of the Program Chair, the Program Chair-elect, Treasurer, and representatives from the Educational Development Committee and from the Scholarship Committee. Additional members of the Committee shall be selected by the Annual Program Committee Chair.

Section 9.8 Nominating Committee – The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for determining a suitable group of candidates for election to the Steering Committee. It shall consist of five members who are neither current members of the Steering Committee nor current Committee Chairs. They may not be current candidates for the TBLC Steering Committee. The Past-President will serve as Chair and the President will propose two members at the annual Steering Committee meeting for the Steering Committee’s approval. Two members shall be nominated and elected by the membership at the Annual Business Meeting.

Section 9.9 Finance Committee – The Finance Committee, Chaired by the Treasurer and consisting of at least two additional TBLC members, will be responsible for the oversight of all financial matters of the TBLC and for the development of the annual TBLC financial report and respective budgets.

Section 9.10 Scholarship Committee – The Scholarship Committee is responsible for fostering, enhancing and encouraging the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning within the TBLC. This Committee aids members in developing individual and collaborative research endeavors to measure processes and outcomes associated with TBL, and promotes the publishing of scholarly materials related to TBL. Annual responsibilities also include peer reviewing grant proposals submitted to the TBLC for funding.

Section 9.11 Audit Committee – The Audit Committee, chaired by a Past President selected by a simple majority of the Steering Committee and consisting of the Treasurer and a Member-at-Large selected by a simple majority of the Steering Committee, will oversee the performance of external audit functions including the selection of an external auditor. The Audit Committee shall ensure no conflicts of interest exist that may interfere with the auditor’s ability to conduct an independent audit.

Section 9.12 European TBL Committee – The European TBL Committee (ETBLC) disseminates TBL to educators and educational institutions across Europe. Activities may include organizing an annual European TBL meeting, promoting TBL at regional educational conferences, promoting membership in the TBLC, coordinating research across the continent, and collaborating with/ providing members for TBLC Committees. ETBLC members will be elected by European TBL Committee members and hold office for a period of two years.

Section 9.13 Subcommittees may be established by the Steering Committee to perform one or more of the TBLC functions. Subcommittees may include individuals, in addition to or other than, members of standing committees.

Section 9.14 Ad Hoc Committees may be established by the Steering Committee to perform one or more of the TBLC functions. Ad Hoc Committees may include individuals, in addition to or other than, members of standing committees

ARTICLE X. Membership Meetings

Section 10.1 Annual Business Meeting Time, Place, and Purpose. The Annual Business Meeting of the TBLC shall be held at a time and place determined by the Steering Committee and stated in the Notice of Meetings. The Annual Business Meeting shall include a summary of the past year’s TBLC activities, committee reports, as well as the introduction of new business to the TBLC membership.

Section 10.2 Notice of Meetings. The TBLC Manager shall give notice of all meetings stating the place, day, and hour of the meeting and, in case of a Special Meeting, the purpose for which the meeting is called. Such notice of Special Meetings shall be not less than ten or more than fifty days before the date of the meeting. Notice of the Annual Business Meeting is to be given no later than the prior Annual Business Meeting. Reminder notices of scheduled meetings, special meetings, or committee meetings must be provided through electronic mail. No business shall be transacted at any special meetings except that stated in the meeting notice.

Section 10.3 Quorum. A quorum for transaction of business shall be not less than 50 members in good standing.

Section 10.4 Minutes will be prepared and include a record of attendance, the recommendations made, and the votes taken on each matter. Electronic copies of minutes of meetings must be approved by the body. A permanent file of the minutes of each meeting will be maintained.

Section 10.5 Voting and Representation. Each member who is present shall be entitled to one vote at all TBLC meetings. A membership roll showing the list of members as of the record date, certified by the TBLC Manager, shall be produced at any meeting of the members upon request. All persons appearing on such membership roll shall be entitled to vote.

ARTICLE XI. Amendments

Section 11.1 Amendments of the bylaws may be proposed by a majority of the Steering Committee or by a petition, sent to the TBLC Manager, bearing the signatures of at least 15 members in good standing.

Section 11.2 Notice of proposed amendments shall be posted to the TBLC website on or before the annual election of TBLC Officers. The TBLC Manager (or her delate) shall mail or fax a copy of these materials and the slate of nominees, to those TBLC members who have previously indicated they do not have internet access. On April 1st, a secured, electronic ballot shall be activated on the TBLC website, along with instructions for electronic voting. The TBLC Manager (or her delate) will mail or fax a ballot containing the proposed changes and the slate of candidates, to those TBLC members who have previously indicated they do not have internet access. All ballots must be electronically submitted to the website or received in the post by the TBLC Manager during the same deadline as set forth in Article VIII.

Section 11.3 In the event of an urgent requirement for an amendment, the Steering Committee, by a two-thirds vote, may authorize posting a proposed amendment to the members at any time. Notice of proposed amendments shall be posted on the TBLC website for a 30-day period prior to balloting. At the end of the posting period, a secured electronic ballot shall be activated on the TBLC website, along with instructions for electronic voting. The TBLC Manager (or her delate) shall mail or fax appropriate information and a ballot to those TBLC members who have previously indicated they do not have internet access. All ballots must be electronically submitted to the website or received in the post by the TBLC Manager within 30 days of the opening of balloting. The TBLC Manager shall tally the votes for posting on the TBLC website.

Section 11.4 All amendments of the bylaws require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members in good standing who submit valid ballots.

ARTICLE XII. Indemnification

The TBLC shall defend and indemnify any qualified person against any threatened, pending, or completed legal action resulting from actions taken in good faith on behalf of the TBLC. Qualified persons shall be present and former officers, employees, and officially elected or appointed members of boards, councils, committees, and other components of the TBLC. Indemnification will not be provided to any person who shall be adjudged in a legal action to be liable for negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of duty, or when such person did not reasonably believe that the action was within the law and in the best interests of the TBLC. Indemnification shall cover cost of defense and any judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by a qualified person, up to a limit of one-million dollars in any single case except in circumstances expressly prohibiting such limitation under the law. Such indemnification shall be in accordance with the established policy of the TBLC.

ARTICLE XIII. Other Provisions

Section 13.1 The fiscal year of the TBLC shall be July 1 – June 30.

Section 13.2 The TBLC shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, as currently revised. In case of a conflict between Robert’s Rules of Order and these bylaws, the bylaws shall take precedence.

ARTICLE XIV. Dissolution of the Collaborative

The TBLC may be dissolved on a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Steering Committee. In the event of the dissolution of the TBLC, the Steering Committee shall give all its assets to one or more nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations. If the Steering Committee cannot reach consensus, the decision shall be made by the applicable Court in the State of West Virginia.

Certification of Adoption and Approval: Adopted by the TBLC on May 31, 2017.

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